Stress Estimation based on Plantar Electrocardiogram using Fabric Electrodes

Abstract

In recent years, the measurement and assessment of stress has become increasingly important, since it has been described as a stressed society in Japan. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the indexes that can measure biological information on a daily life. For example, the ECG has been attracting attention as an index for stress assessment. A plantar ECG using fabric electrodes is suitable to daily monitoring. The plantar ECG is expected to reduce the burden of measurement on the subject and to provide a variety of measurement environments. However, stress estimation by plantar induction site has not been performed. The purpose of this preliminary study was to estimate the stress level using the plantar ECG. For our purpose, the plantar ECG was measured during the emotional image presentation. The subjects were three healthy males. The results showed that the stress level of two subjects was higher during the unpleasant image presentation than during the pleasant image presentation.